Amidst the bustle of the holiday season, Chor Leoni ushered audience members into the serene atmosphere of St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church for their annual Christmas concert on Dec 19. The space was lit with reds, blues, and purples while golden lanterns hung from the ceiling. The beauty of the church was highlighted under this unique lighting, creating an almost fantasy effect within the large arches. Lighting designer Keagan Elrick had set the stage for the magical evening welcoming Chor Leoni’s largest-ever opening night audience. The first song of the evening was “The Long Night” arranged by founding member, Artistic Director,…
Browsing: Violin
Where has my week gone? Much of it was spent plundering a coffin of one of the most captivating violinists that ever lived. David Oistrakh, Odessa born (thus Ukrainian-rather than Russian-Jewish), set the tone for violin playing in the Soviet era. Not just in his own performances but in those of his Moscow students who included Oleg Kagan, Gidon Kremer, Lydia Mordkovich, Nina Belina, Stoika Milanova, Rimma Sushanskaya and many more, not to mention his own distinguished son, Igor. Maintaining a distinctive individualism in an authoritarian state, he taught young musicians to find their own path to the variable meanings…
Statement from Ms. Angèle Dubeau October 23, 2024 – “For as long as I can remember, music has been a part of my life. Through it, I expressed myself, traveled, and found daily nourishment. My violin has been a faithful companion since the age of four. It colored my world and, even more than words, became my primary means of expression. However, I now find myself having to learn how to live without my violin. With a heavy heart, I must accept that I can no longer physically play it. My right hand, specifically my index finger—the master of the…
Violinist Dabin Zoey Yang is this year’s winner of the Prix d’Europe, an annual scholarship that has bolstered many artists’ careers since its creation in 1911. Yang is currently pursuing her master’s of Musical Arts at Yale School of Music under the guidance of Prof. Augustin Hadelich. Her love of music began at a young age when she realized how she could use her own hands to make beautiful sounds. “I loved implementing my (own) musical ideas into my music,” says Yang, as she continues to work toward creating a unique sound in her playing. Yang embraces her shortcomings and…
Violinist Justin Saulnier started learning to play his instrument when he was 4 years old. Despite his many years of dedication to the art form, however, Saulnier admits the thought of pursuing a career in music did not really come into play until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Then, he started to use his free time to improve his knowledge and skills, and his teacher at the time, Donnie Deacon, guided him toward university auditions. Saulnier now studies at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music under the tutelage of Andrew Wan. Saulnier is the winner of the 2024 Eckhardt-Gramatté National…
Hanover, 28 September 2024: 27-year-old Angela Chan (Hong Kong/China) and 19-year-old Jacques Forestier (Canada) share the first prize of 30,000 euros of the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition 2024 in Hanover. Both impressed the international jury equally with their final concert and the world premiere of “Feder”, the commissioned work by Enno Poppe for the 2024 competition, and will now receive 15,000 euros each. The jury consisted of Juliane Banse (chair), Lorenza Borrani, Liza Ferschtman, Kim Kashkashian, András Keller, Gidon Kremer, Alexander Lonquich, Feng Ning, Kathrin Rabus and Stephan Zilias. The most outstanding three musicians of the competition, Kyumin Park, Angela…
PRESS RELEASE Hanover, 25 September 2024 The three finalists of the 12th Joseph Joachim Violin Competition by the Stiftung Niedersachsen have been announced The final concerts will take place on 28 September in the Großer Sendesaal of the NDR Konzerthaus in Hanover and will be livestreamed. Angela Chan (27, Hong Kong/China), Kyumin Park (27, South Korea) and Jacques Forestier (19, Canada) are the finalists of the 12th Joseph Joachim Violin Competition in Hanover. They will receive a prize money of 10,000 euros each for reaching the final and are allowed to call themselves “Laureate of the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition”.…
The flawless Skride is joined by violist Ivan Vukcevic and the orchestra of Vienna Radio, conducted by Marin Alsop.
Released in November 2023, Emmanuel Vukovich’s debut album Resilience is the culmination of Vukovich’s reflection on his own roots, and humanity’s capacity for resilience.
There are currently 69 participants in the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Competition, including three Canadians: Daniel Kogan, Alice Lee, and Julia Mirzoev.